Ocean City: 1988 through 2007

Editor’s note: Fred Miller is a local historian, trustee of the Ocean City Historical Museum, trustee of the Ocean City Lifesaving Museum, and a member of the Ocean City Historic Preservation Commission.  Photos courtesy of Fred Miller and the Ocean City Historical Museum.

1988
“Another landmark bites the dust as Bob’s Grill, 1368 Boardwalk, is demolished early this week,” was the caption of a picture in the September 23 issue of the Sentinel-Ledger. The owner, Bob Harbaugh, reported a new Bob’s Grill would be ready for the summer of ’89.

1989
The 51-year-old Strand Theatre was remodeled and turned into four separate viewing rooms.

1990
The landmark Village Theatre was destroyed by fire on June 12. Firemen, lead by Chief Todd Bower, were successful in their attempts to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings.

1991
On March 4, a new 878 foot long bridge over the Middle Thorofare was dedicated to the memory of Rush Chattin. The bridge was the first in New Jersey designed with fishermen and fisherwomen in mind. A wide platform running along both sides of the bridge protects those fishing from automobiles.

1992
On January 31, Mayor Nicholas Trofa died of a massive heart attack. City Administrator Richard Deaney was named acting mayor until the May 12 election. Henry “Bud” Knight was elected mayor over Councilwomen Jeanne Clunn.

1993
The Ocean City Music Pier, built in 1928, reopened in June after four million dollars worth of renovations were completed.

1994
A new two-story lifeguard station was built on the Boardwalk at 1st Street.

1995
Renovation work began on the outside of the 80-year-old City Hall.

1996
The Bayside Center, 520 Bay Avenue, opened to the public in June for historical, environmental and recreational uses.

1997
Over a year after the doors closed on Stainton’s Department Store, the new Stainton’s Square held a grand opening Saturday, April 26.

1998
The name of the local newspaper, which was founded in 1880, was changed from the Sentinel-Ledger to the Ocean City Sentinel.

1999
The OCHS football team, coached by Gary Degenhardt, won their third South Jersey championship in four years by defeating Mainland High School 21-18.

2000
Robert C. Shinn, Jr., Commissioner of N.J. Department of Environment Protection, supported the federal governments beach replenishment program, saying, “Compared to the billions spent nationally building levees and other flood control projects on rivers, beach replenishment is a cost-effective method of flood protection that protects New Jersey’s most valuable coastal resources.”

2001
On December 11, the majority of voters in every district in every ward throughout Ocean City said YES to the $40 million referendum to build a new high school.

2002
The new bridge linking Ocean City and Longport was officially opened with a parade and public walk across the 65-foot high span on Friday, July 19.

2003
As the year ended, Dan Murray announced the renovations to the Tabernacle Baptist Church, the first church to be built in Ocean City, were 99 percent completed.

2004
The new Ocean City High School, on Atlantic Avenue between 5th and 6th streets, opened on September 8.

2005
“Council says yes to $2.9 M purchase; Lifesaving station to be owned by the city” was the headline on the front page of the Ocean City Sentinel.

2006
Attorney Sal Perillo won Ocean City's mayoral election beating three other candidates including two incumbent councilmen. Mayor Henry "Bud' Knight, the city's mayor since 1992, did not run for reelection.

2007
Kimberly Ashley, longtime member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, became the city's first female firefighter.